DIY Network

Birdfeeder Basics Birdfeeder Basics From "Ask DIY Gardening" episode DADG-103

Nothing can bring a garden to life like the chirping sounds and fluttering wings of a bird. And a birdfeeder is the surest way to land them in your backyard. Here -- courtesy of Ask DIY gardening guru Jessie Mack Burns -- are some basics you can use to attract a variety of birds.

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Let's start with types of birdfeeders. The size and shape of the birdfeeder you pick will help determine the birds you can attract. Here are a few examples:

• A suet feeder features wire mesh to hold the food in place. Suet, which is made of animal fat, is especially great for attracting insect eating birds like woodpeckers and cardinals.

• Another option, the tube feeder, is good for smaller birds like finches and chickadees.

• One good option for attracting just about any type of bird is a dome-shaped feeder that's made to prevent squirrels from getting in and raiding the food.

Once you've decided on the type (or types) of feeder you want to use, you have to make sure that you and the birds can easily access the food. Place your feeder near bushes and trees about five to six feet off the ground and 10 to 12 feet out. This will keep predators at bay.

Now let's talk about what's on the menu for your feathered friends:

• Sunflower seeds will help you attract the widest variety of birds by far. Black-oil sunflower seed is an excellent choice: with their thinner shell, these seeds are easier for the birds to crack open.

• Unsalted peanuts, raisins, sliced apples and oranges also make for tempting bird cuisine.

• If you want to attract hummingbirds, you'll want to take a different approach. You'll need not only a special hummingbird feeder but also a sugar-water mixture that hummingbirds can't resist.

  To make the sugar water, mix one part sugar to four parts boiling water. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Let it cool before pouring it into the feeder. And don't bother adding any coloring to the mixture -- it can actually be harmful to the bird.

  Be sure to change the mixture every few days, because the nectar can spoil. You can clean the feeder by rinsing with water.

Here are the key points to remember when it comes to feeding the birds in your backyard:

1. Give the birds easy and protective access to the birdfeeder.

2. Sunflower seeds attract the largest variety of birds.
   
   
3. The best way to attract hummingbirds is with sugar water.